Orange wine, also known as “skin-contact white wine,” is a captivating and delightful beverage made by fermenting white grapes with their skins. These unique wines have grown in popularity due to their complex flavors and unmistakable orangish hue. If you are curious about making your own orange wine, follow these 13 steps to craft a unique and flavorful creation.

Step 1: Choose the right grapes

Opt for white grape varieties. Some of the popular options include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling.

Step 2: Harvest the grapes

Harvest the grapes when they are ripe, which usually occurs in late summer or early autumn. Hand-pick the clusters to avoid damage.

Step 3: Sort and clean the grapes

Examine the grape clusters and remove leaves, debris, damaged or underripe grapes. Rinse them thoroughly with water.

Step 4: Destem the grapes

Gently separate the grapes from the stems using a destemmer or your hands. The stems can impart bitterness to your wine if left in during fermentation.

Step 5: Crush and macerate

Crush the grapes using a grape crusher or clean hands to release their juices. This process is essential for extracting flavor from the skins.

Step 6: Transfer to a fermenter

Transfer your crushed grape mixture into a sanitized fermentation vessel, such as a glass carboy or food-grade plastic container.

Step 7: Add sulfites (optional)

You can add sulfite powder (potassium metabisulfite) at this stage to inhibit unwanted bacteria growth and prevent oxidation. This step is optional but recommended for beginners.

Step 8: Begin fermentation

Cover the fermenter loosely with a lid or cloth to allow gases to escape while keeping contaminants out. Allow natural yeast present on grape skins to begin fermentation.

Step 9: Punch down the cap

During fermentation, grape skins will rise to the surface, creating a “cap.” Punch down the cap daily using a sanitized spoon or clean hands to maintain contact between the juice and skins.

Step 10: Monitor fermentation

Keep track of temperature and fermentation progress by checking for bubbles in the airlock. Typical fermentation temperatures for orange wines range between 60-70°F (15-21°C). Fermentation can take anywhere from one to three weeks.

Step 11: Press the wine

Once fermentation slows down, separate the liquid from grape solids using a wine press or cheesecloth set over a large container. Collect the pressed liquid in a separate vessel.

Step 12: Age your orange wine

Transfer the pressed wine into a sanitized aging vessel, such as an oak barrel or glass carboy. Seal it with an airlock. Age your wine for several months or even years, depending on your preference in flavor development. Taste test occasionally.

Step 13: Bottle and enjoy

Once you are satisfied with the taste, filter your wine into bottles using a siphon and tubing. Cork your bottles and store them in a cool, dark place. Allow your orange wine to rest for a few weeks before enjoying it.

In conclusion, making orange wine requires patience and attention to detail but can reward you with unique flavors and appearances not found in traditional white or red wines. By following these easy steps, you can start experimenting and create your own delicious orange wines at home.